Personal accountability begins with me, not you.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2)

What can I do today to develop more personal accountability?

On August 6, God blessed me when Jon Monroe came to work for me full-time to help with production and technical support in my web business. He’s already making a difference in our success. Jon has grown so much spiritually since the last time I saw him. He’s now a positive influence to my son.

Jon is 20 years old, the same age as my son. He grew up with my son and has been a long time friend of our family. He may well have been the most creative of all the friends my son ever brought over. Jon has a hunger to learn and grow and to make a difference in this world for Jesus. That’s encouraging.

During my company’s morning devotional time on August 17, we listened to the first few minutes of the QBQ! audio-book. Jon asked to listen to that CD again in our afternoon devotional time. Each day since, he listened to other chapters of that audio-book until he finally finished it yesterday. When Jon told me that book immediately changed his behavior, I felt prompted to do this series about it.

The following is an excerpt from chapter 20 of QBQ!

Personal accountability does NOT begin with you. It begins with me. That’s why it’s called personal accountability. It is not about you or me holding one another accountable, as a manger does. Nor is it a group thing.

Personal accountability is about each of us holding ourselves accountable for our own thinking and behaviors and the results they produce. Questions that contain “I” turn our focus away from other people and circumstances and put it back on ourselves, where it can do the most good.

We can’t change other people. We often can’t control circumstances and events. The only things we have any real control over are our own thoughts and actions. Asking questions that focus our efforts and energy on what we can do makes us significantly more effective, not to mention happier and less frustrated.

Accountability groups are great tools. Managers and executives do need to define and communicate standards, but the power of personal accountability comes from questions that begin with “What” or “How” and contain an “I.”

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, I praise You as the God of justice and righteousness. True personal accountability begins with being accountable to You and Your Word. Teach me to be a godly man of action by asking You questions that begin with “What” or “How” and contain an “I.” In a culture that is continually watering down the truth of Your Word, may I be uncompromising in my obedience to You. May I stand out like a lighthouse in the dark of night. Remove any planks from my own eye so I may help others remove the splinters from theirs. Thank You Jesus. I love You so much. You are the Rock upon which I stand. Amen.

Link of the Day
Photos from SPC picnic and baptisms at Shenandoah Springs Camp on June 10, 2007
[http://www.yourdailyblessing.com/content.cfm?id=2423]

Blessing to be committed to ask questions that foster personal accountability!